Possible Immigration Consequences When Faced with Criminal Charges

Possible Immigration Consequences When Faced with Criminal Charges

Posted By
The Law Offices of Jesse Adams

Anyone accused of committing a criminal violation is going to need to deal
with the criminal justice system. But immigrants in America will encounter
unique and additional troubles after being connected to or implicated
in a crime. Beyond other sentencing methods, like jail time and fines,
a conviction can lead to problems with an immigrant’s ability to
legally stay within, or enter, the United States. If you are an immigrant
and have found yourself in a similar situation, understanding what can
happen is the first step in stopping it from happening.

The following processes could occur or begin due to a criminal conviction:

Deportation: Perhaps the most dramatic of immigration-related consequences, the deportation
or removal process could be initiated as part of sentencing, ultimately
sending an immigrant back to his or her country of origin. An immigrant’s
visas or green card are likely to also be revoked or suspended.

Exclusion: If an immigrant has been convicted of a crime, leaves the country, and
attempts to reenter, he or she may find that an immigration judge has
ruled to exclude them; this is often called “denied entry”
in legal forums. An immigrant that has been excluded can get more or less
stuck in customs, with or without a green card or visa, until the matter
is sorted or he or she exits to another country.

Denial of naturalization: Immigrants in the process of naturalization can have that process halted
temporarily while undergoing a criminal investigation. If convicted, naturalization
may be stopped permanently.

While the aforementioned three immigration-related consequences are usually
saved for serious crimes, the decision is ultimately up to an immigration
judge. Depending on a person’s criminal record, personal life, and
the implications of the crime in question, any sort of conviction –
felony or misdemeanor, federal or state – could impact immigration status.

Criminal Defense Immigrants Can Depend On

If you are an immigrant who has been charged with a criminal violation,
the first step to protecting your right to stay within the United States
is finding a strong criminal defense attorney. Northampton Criminal Defense
Attorney Jesse Adams of The Law Offices of Jesse Adams is a true career
defense attorney with more than a decade of courtroom experience paired
with impressive
case results. If you live in Massachusetts and need help right away with a criminal
case, do not hesitate to
contact our law firm to set up a free consultation.